CHRISTMAS 2009

Christmas 2009 has come and gone....but while it was here we really enjoyed it!  We were blessed to be able to spend it with the three Shearer kids, along with their kids...only one missing was Chris, Janelles' husband, who is presently serving the Navy SeaBees in Afghanistan.  While we were together, we finally figured out that the last time these three had spent Christmas together was in 1998....more than ten  years ago!  Unfortunately, our presence in Tennessee meant that we missed being with other family members in Virginia, but for some reason we find it impossible to be in two places at once....the limitations of our mortal bodies, I guess!  LOL

Janelle and her three boys, Zachary, Nathan, and baby Lucas, drove up from Gulfport, MS on Tuesday, and then Jennifer and her son Brandon flew in on Wednesday from Virginia Beach.  It was fun to see the older three cousins get reacquainted, and for everyone to just spend time enjoying each others company!  We didn't "do" anything special, but we sure did make a lot of special memories.

Our time together was not without its challenges...let's see, that would include Jon's back (two herniated discs), Lucas' colic, along with the lovely (NOT) weather, just to name a few.  In spite of those and other challenges, it was a very special time that had been a long time coming.  It was a bonus that the girls and their four boys  got to spend some time on Saturday with my mom and dad at the nursing center....memories that will always be treasured.

A special thanks to Jon who shared his home with us, and helped to make this time

together a reality and not just a dream!

Below are just a few of the "gazillion" photos that were taken during our time together...just a small window into our Christmas, and a hope that  your Christmas was special in every way, and that you were blessed by the love of the Christ who was born so many years ago.

Time for some 'xploring down by the creek....

.....while Papa and Lucas wait for Santa to arrive!

The older boys got to put out "food" (oatmeal with glitter mixed in) for Santa's reindeer...

 

Some kids make everything silly (Christmas Eve pajamas and Nate)...

......while others pass the time by sleeping!

And then there's the one who just finally "gave out"....

Mr. B aka Brandon!

But that didn't stop them from being up bright and early on Christmas mornng,

checking out the goodies left by Santa..

Even Uncle Jon got into the spirit of things....yummy Toblelerone....

...and, no, he wouldn't share!

Willie received an official Denver Broncos hat....wonder what that could mean??!!

We were blessed to be able to Skype with Chris for a good part of the gift giving time.....

...and baby Lucas got to "say" Merry Christmas to his daddy.  Not the way we would have preferred it, but we enjoyed sharing even this little bit of time with him.  We ask for your continued prayers for him and his family during these months of their separation, and particularly covet your prayers for his safety.

We are now getting ready to say "so long, farewell" to 2009 and "hello" to 2010.

Let's pray that it's a great one!

QUICK UPDATE!!!

Just heard from Jon.....the MRI showed a problem with one of the lumbar disks that should be able to be resolved with chiropractic care.  We are praising the Lord that nothing more serious was found!

WHEW!!!!

What a week it has been....and that is a HUGE understatement.   Let's see, we've had damaged windowsills, a gashed hand, bad backs, a knot on the noggin, a Christmas open house, shopping, an MRI, baking, cleaning, freezing temperatures, a night out at the Grand Ole Opry to see the Rockettes Christmas show, wildlife, and a birthday or two!  Whew....and that doesn't even count the phone calls from Charlottesville, VA with details and pictures of the record snowfall there!  Oh, and the week is not yet over!!!

The windowsill is "healed", Willie's hand is healing, and Lucas' poor little noggin is better.  The open house was very enjoyable....lots of yummy eats, and the shopping continues along with the baking (almond poppyseed cakes in the oven right now).

The wildlife was spotted out the back windows of Jon's house earlier this week..... 

.....no deer this time, but a blue crane!

Thursday night we had the priviliege of seeing the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show at the Grand Ole Opry....very impressive.  I really liked the way they ended the show with the live nativity and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus!

 

Last night and today I have been reminded of winter snows in Staunton (Blue Ridge Mts. of Virginia)....Amber has been keeping us informed as the pictures below show!

Snow on Amber's porch railing....last night!  And it's still snowing!

Last night's count was 11 inches, and the white stuff is still coming down!

 

The grandkids, Sierra, Kaila and Tyreese seem to be enjoying it!

Tyreese looks like he is not too sure what's going on,

and Kaila is ready to go slip-sliding on an swim tube!
(Good call, Amber!)

And Sierra is enjoying the snow while showing her "missing teeth grin"

(two contributions to the tooth fairy in as many days).

We also have had a couple of birthdays in our family the last couple of weeks, with another one on its way.....

Becky's birthday was December 11,

while Jennifer's was yesterday, December 18th..

So, belated Happy Birthday postings to them!

Now to the back "issue"....  Jon, our son, has been suffering for over a week with excruciating back pain, with no relief from chiropractic sessions.  On Weds. night he was sent for an MRI, but we have not received any results as of yet.  He does seem to be doing a little better, but we covet your prayers for God's touch on his body.  We know that God can use any means of healing, and we pray for relief from the pain and a quick resolution to whatever is going on.

In case you haven't noticed, you haven't received a Christmas card/letter from us as of yet....well, actually.....we aren't doing a Christmas version this year....we'll be doing a New Year's version, so look for that!   But until then, our prayer for you is that you will cherish the gift of the Christ child and look for ways to show His love with others this Christmas season.

A Blessed Christmas to you and yours...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Shhhhhh!

The picture speaks for itself!   

Brrrrr!

Have I said recently how little I like cold - the frigid variety - weather?  If not, let me say it now!   What is really strange, tho', is that I like the scenic views that that same cold weather creates.   Yes, I like snow scenes, frost on windows, ice-coated grass....I just don't want to be out in the temperatures that produce those beauties.  So today I really enjoyed looking out Jon's back windows at this icy scene

I

....and part of my enjoyment was that I was nice and toasty inside!

FYI - No, that is not a lake, river....but rather a retention pond that had filled up with water from the recent heavy rain!

We are now again located in Mt. Juliet, TN, due to...... the frigid cold.  The water had been turned off where we were (again due to.....you guessed it, the frigid cold), and we were running everything on one 30 amp circuit.....again, tough in....yup....the frigid cold!  But we are so grateful for the two weeks we spent there at Horton Haven....Willie was able to work with the maintenance manager for a couple of days.  Once again we were made aware that God has our steps ordered....during our short time there, Willie was able to help someone who was in real need....and to minister by his willingness to do so.

This weekend look around you....God just may bring someone across your path that you can minister to...whether by a touch, a smile, a shoulder to lean or cry on, a listening ear, or even a little financial assistance.  If we keep our senses tuned to the Holy Spirit, the opportunities will astound us!

Where ARE the TURKEYS?

One of the things I remembered most about Horton Haven when we were here in May was the wildlife...particularly the turkeys.  They could be seen just about anywhere....one strutted through the small campground....one flew over our MH....and quite a few could usually be seen in the yard of one of the houses just down the road.  Since we have been here this time we haven't seen a single one....that is, until today.  Now, granted, we are not here all the time, but enough to think we would spot at least one of the fowl!

Now to the rest of the story....

Today we took a day trip down to Scottboro, AL, and on our way we were taken completely by surprise.  Yup, you guessed it....by at least a dozen turkeys in the middle of a four-lane highway.  And believe me, they were in no hurry to move along!  I was so taken by surprise that I didn't even get my camera out of my purse to document the sight.  Bummer!!  It was quite the beginning to our day....put a smile on our faces!

Hope your weekend has some surprises that you make you smile!